Volunteer For The Holidays
This season marks the 19th year of the Mission of Hope’s Christmas Campaign that serves students and their families in the poorest counties in Appalachia, more than half of which are in Kentucky. MOH, a Knoxville-based Christian charity, serves 17,500 students at 27 schools where nearly all of the students receive free or reduced lunch.
People in Central Kentucky can help spread the Hope by dropping off new toys, clothing, food and hygiene products from now through Monday, Dec. 8 in the MOH Big Blue Barrels. Folks also can make tax-deductible donations.
The food items most needed are canned vegetables, fruit, chili and soup, as well as mac&cheese, oatmeal, peanut butter, dried beans and rice.
Clothing and toys are needed for kids in grades kindergarten through eighth. Warm coats, jeans, hats, gloves, socks and underwear are in high demand.
Toys such as action figure playsets, doll playsets, electronic games, remote control vehicles, sporting goods, watches and jewelry are popular. Tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap bars and 2 in 1 shampoo with conditioner are useful.
Look for the Big Blue Barrels at:
Chick-fil-A
Curves locations
Kid’s Place
Lexington Dance Factory
Lexington Family Magazine
Legacy All Sports
Monkey Joe’s
Premier Athletics
Valvoline
If you would like to make a financial donation, please send checks to:
Mission of Hope
P.O. Box 51824
Knoxville, TN 37950
Mission of Hope is a fully licensed 501c3 non-profit charity, so your donation is tax deductible.
Info: (877) 627-1909 or www.missionofhope.org
For 57 years, God’s Pantry has been collecting and distributing donated food to agencies across Central and Eastern Kentucky. Today, God’s Pantry works with more than 275 partner agencies to fight hunger and alleviate the symptoms that accompany it.
A donation of $40 will feed 191 hungry children. A $70 donation will provide meals for 335 struggling seniors. A donation of $150 will provide 717 meals at abuse shelters.
General Food Donations
Food donations from individuals or families are always accepted and welcomed. Donations can be made at the warehouse during normal operating hours. In addition, residents of Fayette County can make their donation at any Kroger location by placing the food in the donation barrel near the customer service desk or exit. If you cannot find the barrel, please ask at the customer service desk.
Other Ways to Give Food
Kroger Bags – all Fayette County Kroger Stores stock pre-made bags of food (vegetables, fruit, meat and pasta products) valued at $2.50, $5 and $10 located near the checkout lanes. Simply pick up a bag, have it scanned and drop it in the blue barrels on your way out of the store. Your charitable donation is registered on the receipt. It’s easy!
Checkout Hunger – Kroger Stores also have coupons valued at $1, $2, and $5 located at the checkout lanes. To make a donation, simply rip off a coupon and have it scanned. Your charitable donation is registered on your receipt.
The Salvation Army needs your help again this year with several programs to help the needy in Lexington.
First up is the Angel Tree. The Salvation Army provides Christmas gifts for thousands of children in Lexington, Scott and Jessamine counties. Just pick up an Angel Tree Card now through Sunday, Dec. 14 at Fayette Mall and purchase one or more new gifts using the list as a guide.
Place all unwrapped Angel Tree gifts in a bag with the paper angel card/tag tied or securely taped to the outside and return them to Fayette Mall by Sunday, Dec. 14.
The Salvation Army also needs help providing food for families over the holidays. Pick up a Food Angel Tag at any Kroger store now through Wednesday, Dec. 24 and make a donation.
Also, don’t forget that the Red Kettles are out at many of your favorite stores. Donate whatever you can to help fund Salvation Army programs throughout the year.
The Salvation Army also needs volunteers for the Angel Tree and Red Kettle programs. Call to schedule a time for your family or group to help out.
Info: 252-7706.
The Nest, a center for Women, Children and Families, provides free counseling, parent education, emergency childcare, and basic supplies for families in crisis.
Right now The Nest is looking for volunteers to help with the Reindeer Express, a gift giveaway that will provide Christmas presents for more than 700 children ages 5 and under. Donations such as new toys, coats and warm clothing, holiday wrapping paper and cash should be brought to The Nest by Friday, Dec. 12. Community groups are welcome to participate and donations will be accepted Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The location is 530 N. Limestone. Info: 259-1974.
The Lexington Humane Society helps close to 5,000 animals each year and as a non-profit humane agency completely reliant upon private donations and community support your help is always needed. Consider making a donation for the holidays.
If you are looking for gifts for the furry friends in your life or for the animal lovers, then shop for gifts at the Pampered Paws Boutique in the lobby, Monday-Thursday and Saturday, noon-6 p.m., Friday, noon-8 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
Choose a “Sponsor a Pet Photo Frame” from the Christmas tree for $20-$40 to make a donation in a loved one’s name.
On Sunday, Dec. 14 from 2-4 p.m. get your pup’s picture with Santa for just $10. Additional photos are $5 each. Please note: All participating dogs must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccination
Address: 1600 Old Frankfort Pike. Info: 233-0044 / www.adoptlove.net
Help a senior in long-term care this year through the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass and its annual Silver Bells Holiday Gift Drive. This drive brings cheer to hundreds of residents of long-term care facilities who would otherwise receive no gifts at all during the holidays.
You can make a difference in the life of a senior by purchasing a gift and dropping it off at NHOA’s office in the Lexington Senior Center at 1530 Nicholasville Rd. by 4 p.m. on Dec. 12. Gifts should be unwrapped and placed in a gift bag. Suggested items include: Socks, purses, gloves, hats, scarves, chocolates and peppermints, puzzle books and crossword puzzle books in large print, and holiday themed costume jewelry.
Info: 277-9215.
The ninth annual YMCA Reindeer Ramble 5K Run/Walk is Saturday, Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. at Keeneland. This is a wonderful way to participate in a 5K run/walk while supporting scholarships for kids attending YMCA summer camps.
Participants are encouraged to don their favorite holiday sweater, Santa suit or “holiday festive” attire and get into the spirit of this holiday fun run. You may register as an individual runner/walker or with a group as a Santapede team. Teams can range from 3 to 10 participants.
There’s one hitch – you have to be linked together with a garland or ribbon throughout the entire race. Teams can consist of adult and child members.
Top finishers in each category, as well as those Santapede teams that celebrated the holiday spirit most brightly, will be recognized.
Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Lexington/ReindeerRamble5K.
The annual Faith & Community Christmas Store will be open at Southland Christian Church’s Richmond Road Campus on Dec. 17, 18 and 19 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Volunteers and toys are needed. Families are asked to clean out their closets and donate gently-used, pre-loved toys, books and games to share with children in need in our community. More than 18,000 children were served last year and more will come this year. Collection containers can be found throughout the city through Dec. 15. All donations are tax deductible.
Volunteers are needed to set up the store Dec. 12, 15 & 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. More are needed to work the store itself Dec. 17, 18 & 19 from 8 a.m.-noon, noon-4 p.m. or 4-8 p.m. Please call to arrange a shift to work.
Info: 514-7210 or email:caclexky@insightbb.com or www.godsnet.info